soundscape 004
the birds chirp melodies in your honor
welcome back to another installment of soundscape, my monthly playlist series. per usual, i’ll divulge the wealth of music i listened to this past month, plus some album releases i’m looking forward to. but first, a quick poem to summarize my experiences since we last met.
synchronicities reveal themselves in places once left uncharted
bringing awareness to a brighter future ahead
where esoteric play keeps the day full and luscious
and arbitrary rules don’t hinder imagination
we see things as they are
while allowing what wants to be to fill in the gaps
a satisfaction generated by embracing purpose
a soundness that can never be dulled or dampened
music i missed last year
AKA finding out about tunes that might have made my 2025 year-end lists had i heard them earlier. this featured section will be highlighted throughout the springtime.
Chandra — As the Dust Settles (EP)
the carnatic quality enveloped me in warmth
Bobby Earth — Recharge (EP)
he’s consistently groovy and introspective
Tems — Love Is A Kingdom (EP)
future singers will study her voice
Nahima — Nahima (EP)
RIYL: Fana Hues, Madison McFerrin, Yazmin Lacey
Selina — GOING SOMEWHERE? (EP)
sexy yet melancholic bedroom R&B for baddies
NNENA — Random Substance (EP)
RIYL: Peyton, The BGVs, Amindi
Zalma — Things I learned on Earth (EP)
a contemporary R&B album with meaningful lessons
Martin Luke Brown — man oh man !
RIYL: Justin Nozuka, Mk.gee, Malcolm Todd
André Mego — Scent of a Woman
a pleasant multisensory affair
new releases
tracking music from the current calendar year, which will help me build my mid-year and yearly roundups in advance. like the section above, most albums include a summary of up to seven words (think: esoteric word associations, standout lyrics, similar artists, descriptions of how i experienced the music, etc). my #1 play of the month is explored with more depth.
India Shawn — Subject to Change (EP)
a songbird healing the world through melody
Sihr — All of That Wants Your Longing (EP)
prog rock to make you feel deeply
Jordan Rakei — Between Us (EP)
gorgeous work with soulfully aligned collaborators
Elmiene — sounds for someone
it’s me. i am that someone!
Tom Misch — Full Circle
reminiscent of a coming-of-age soundtrack
kwes. — Kinds
an ambient and colorful resurgence
bbymutha — rent due
clearly, it was paid on time 💸💸💸
Bellah — State of Emergency (Vol. 1) (EP)
features many “song of the summer” contenders
Bnnyhunna — PSALM FUNK
aptly titled offering for the collection plate
DRAM — SHAKE TAPE (EP)
music 4 hoodrat things with your friends
Arlo Parks — Ambiguous Desire
electronic soul for elite bedroom dancing
James Blake — Trying Times
title track inspires nostalgia for his concert
Thundercat — Distracted
he’s got my attention (per usual)
Commitment — Fear Of
punk that’ll put hair on your chest
African-American Sound Recordings — Black Fatigues
a deep Negro sigh in album form
Ouri — Crusts (Original Soundtrack) (EP)
7 minutes is not nearly long enough
Les Imprimés — Fading Forward
another winner for the Big Crown catalog
Various Artists — Naive Melodies
an easygoing Talking Heads cover album
nomi. — sweet talk (EP)
another fabulous rec from the sovereign audite
Crystal Murray — Anatomy of a Cry (EP)
arrestingly robust vocals over avant-garde instrumentation
MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt, and SURF GANG — POMPEII//UTILITY
double the albums, double the chill
duendita — existential thottie
it’s like peeking into someone’s diary
Jai’Len Josey — Serial Romantic
Destiny’s Child Institute of Vocal Harmonies graduate
alt-summary: singing ancestors smile in admiration
Isaia Huron — Mr. Lovebomb
“love you with all of my being”
Grace Ives — Girlfriend
quirky stoner girl pop (totally my brand)
HONEY DIJON — The Nightlife
hot girls rejoice for the impending summer
Yaya Bey — Fidelity
she’s on a generational run!
Samba Jean-Baptiste — +3
“how come you’re the wind outside that’s still blowing my mind?”
the following review for my #1 play of the month has been adapted from my Record Club account: i keep reaching for +3 and thinking about the album since i first hit play. it’s got a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it both familiar and refreshing. if i had to sum up how this album makes me feel, it’s the best of everything i loved about music in 2008.
i enjoy the pacing, melancholy lyrics, themes, and clashing noise. it’s tough to pin down exact favorite tracks as it’s a compelling and cohesive listen overall, but “Scene 1,” “Survival Hands,” “Object 9,” and “Peppermint” rank highly.
RIYL: Theophilus London, Kid Cudi, Odunsi (The Engine), Frank Ocean, Chanel Beads, King Krule, John Glacier, Sampha, Nourished by Time, Yves Tumor, Toro Y Moi (i could keep going).
my seven-word summary of +3 is: current frontrunner for album of the year.1
alt-summary: a synesthetic paradise for echolalia
music to look forward to
JWords — Sound Therapy (5/8)
Black Milk — CEREMONIAL (5/8)
Loraine James — Detached From the Rest of You (5/8)
Kenny Mason — BULLDAWG (5/12)
sparklmami — in this body (6/5)
Vince Staples — Cry Baby (6/5)
Infinity Song — Infinity Song (6/12)
The Strokes — Reality Awaits (6/26)
Chanel Beads — Your Day Will Come (6/26)2
Kelela — new avatar (7/10)
Nia Archives — Emotional Junglist (7/24)
required listening to know me
Tune-Yards — Whokill3
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings — “Inspiration Information” (Shuggie Otis cover)
Rochelle Jordan — Play with the Changes
let’s run that back
Sofie Royer — “Baker Miller Pink”
Lianne La Havas — “Bittersweet”
Mk.gee — “Alesis”
Mikal Cronin — “Weight”
Unknown Mortal Orchestra — “Layla”
070 Shake — Modus Vivendi (Instrumental Selections)
soundscape 004: the playlist
the notes: redemption, dearheart, licorice, cyphers, root beer, french toast, gearmaxxing, active voice, falsetto, proto-grunge, shiva lingam, multiplicity.
postscript
i’m hosting the next session of Dave L.’s chordinnate album club on May 21st! the featured album is Bewilderment by Pale Jay. check out my listening guide on The Music Directory for more details.
my fiancé sent +3 to me and said that i would enjoy it (he was right).
i’m getting déjà vu.
this album, which is in my collection, celebrated its 15th anniversary on 4/19.
ugh i’m so glad that i found your page. expanding my palette. i can’t believe that scent of a woman was outside my radar
glad we both stan 'whokill'! and i need to hear this upcoming kelela album asap. also, in my post dropping on thursday, i'm writing about an EP you recommended in a previous one of these roundups (you'll be tagged of course)